596 MOIND EXl'LOKATIONS. 



time tliis doubf was expressed, become generally kuowii. It is prob- 

 iible that tlie evideuee i)r(!seiited in the preceding part of this report, 

 together with the reports of recent explorations made by others, will 

 serve, to some extent, to dispel such doubt. In any case the projtriety 

 of undertaking the discussion of the question atthistime will be deter- 

 mined by the result. 



As difteient conclusions are often reached because of the different 

 senses in wliich the principal terms used are understood, it m.ay be well 

 to define at the outset the sense in which they are here used. In the 

 present case the terms that need to be most clearly defined are "Indians," 

 as referring to the former inhabitants, and " mound area,'' as referring 

 to the geographical district alluded to. 



As already stated, the term "mound area," as herein used, is lim- 

 ited to that portion of the United States east of the Rocky mountains, 

 and the adjoining sections of the Dominion of Canada. The name 

 "Indians," although generally used in a much broader sense and as 

 embracing the entire American race, is, in this discussion, limited to 

 the aboriginal tribes found occupying the above descril)ed area when 

 first visited by Europeans, and to their immediate ancestors. This re- 

 striction is, of course, an arbitraiy one, but is adopted here to avoid 

 confusion. 



Within these limitations tiie lirsl and chief (piestioTi folic considered 

 may be stated briefly as follows: 



"Were all the mounds and other ancii^nt works of the mound area as 

 above defined, constructed by the Indians, in the restricted sense above 

 mentioned, or are they wholly, or in part, to be attributed to other and 

 more highly cultured races, as the Nahuatal tribes, the Mayas, the 

 Pueblo tribes, or some lost race of which there is no historical mention? 



Xo one believes it possible to ascertain the history of the construc- 

 tion of each mound and earthwork; the utmost that can be hoped for 

 is that we nniy be able to determine with reasonable certainty that 

 works of a particular class or locality were built by a known tribe or 

 people; or negatively, that works of a given type can not be attributed 

 to any people of whom we possess historical infornnition. 



One step, therefore, in tlu' investigation, and a very important one, 

 too, is to reach the general conclnsion whether all classes of these 

 remains in the region designated may be.justly attributed to the Indians, 

 in the sense stated above, or whether there are some types which must 

 be ascribed to a diflcrent race; to a people who had attained a higher 

 positi(m in the scale of civilization than the Indians. This the author 

 believes is ])ossible., although we may not be able to determine con- 

 clusively what tribe or people erected any given work. Nevertheless, 

 the conclusion will be strengthened by every proof that the works of 

 particulai' sections, or certain types, aie to be ascribed to particular 

 tribes or stocks. 



The author's ])ositi<ni in regard to the (luestion, as aliove stated, will 

 appear further on. 



